Leaders recognised in Australia Day honours

Western Australian governor and ex-police commissioner Chris Dawson, former politicians Clive Brown and John Hyde, public health leader Helen Milroy and construction entrepreneur Harry Xydas are among those who received Australia Day honours.

The Australia Day 2023 honours list recognised 1,047 recipients, including 736 in the General Division of the Order of Australia and awards for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service. 

Mr Dawson received the highest form of recognition, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for his public administration through law enforcement roles, reconciliation work, and as the state's 34^th governor. 

Mr Brown, former Labor politician and state development, tourism and small business minister, was named a Member of the Order of Australia.

Helen Milroy received a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to public health and Indigenous communities.

A psychiatrist and children’s book author who is known as Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, Professor Milroy is on several mental health advisory committees and boards, including the National Mental Health Commission.

Elsewhere, for her contribution to the arts and culture sector and not-for-profit organisation FORM, Lynda Dorrington was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

The arts leader was previously a commercial director at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and a director of the Writers' Festival for the Perth International Arts Festival.

Susan Hunt was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to animal welfare and public administration.

Ms Hunt was the chief executive of Perth Zoo, Lotterywest and Healthway, and was also the president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Financial adviser Stephen Scudamore was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his business, commerce, mining and resources work.

Construction entrepreneur Harry Xydas was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia.

Mr Xydas founded the businesses Doric and Jaxon, with Doric starting operation in 1989.

That business has built landmark buildings across the state, including an expansion of Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre, the Harry Perkins Medical Research Centre, City of Perth Library, Westralia Plaza and Curtin Stadium.

Doric has also contributed to the mining industry, including building accommodation villages for Karara and Hope Downs.

But the Jaxon business entered liquidation in August 2021.

Mr Xydas’ award was for services to the construction industry.

Former politician John Hyde has been awarded a Medal of the Order for service to the community.

Mr Hyde grew up in the Wheatbelt.

He lost an  arm in a farming accident, but then successfully won election to parliament as a Liberal for the federal seat of Moore in 1974.

According to the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation, of which he served as a director for 21 years, Mrv Moore was often at odds with his own colleagues in fighting for free market principles.

That included championing free trade and arguing against monopolies, Mannkal said in a release.

Mr Hyde said in a press release that there had been many people who had campaigned to contribute to public understanding of how to preserve a liberal democratic nation.

“We have had some success,” he said. 

“In spite of many of what I have believed to have been errors, Australia today is surely among the very best of nations.”